Inter Miami CF Re-Signs Victor Ulloa and Inter Miami CF Signs Midfielder Jean Mota

Experienced leader, Inter Miami CF’s 2021 MLS Humanitarian of the Year nominee extends his tenure with the Club
MIAMI (December 12, 2021) – Inter Miami CF announced today it has re-signed midfielder Victor Ulloa to a new two-year deal starting in 2022. After featuring for the Club in its two first Major League Soccer (MLS) campaigns, including wearing the captain’s armband on several occasions in 2021 and being nominated for the 2021 Major League Soccer Humanitarian of the Year award, Ulloa returns to the First Team roster ahead of the 2022 MLS campaign.

“We’re excited to have reached an agreement with Victor to return to our Club. He’s a player that adds experience, leadership and talent while representing the Club’s DNA and values perfectly on and off the pitch. We look forward to seeing him help us reach our goals in the 2022 season,“ said Inter Miami CF Chief Soccer Officer and Sporting Director Chris Henderson.

“I’m very grateful to have the opportunity to continue at the Club, for the trust they have shown me, for believing in me and in my work. I’m happy to stay at Inter Miami and I’m looking forward to the next season,“ said Ulloa. “We have to keep fighting and focus on the season that lies ahead. I will do my best to contribute all my leadership, experience and skill as a player to do things well and help the team in whatever way I can so that next year we can achieve our goals.”

Ulloa, 29, has appeared in 45 of Inter Miami’s 58 matches – fifth-most in Club history – only missing most of the 13 games out due to a right quadricep injury that kept him off the pitch for the final portion of the 2021 campaign. The midfielder, who has also featured as a fullback for the team when needed, has registered 41 total starts, logging 2,702 minutes and contributing with five assists. In 2020, Ulloa played a key role in helping the team become only the seventh in MLS history to clinch the MLS playoffs in its inaugural year, registering 23 regular season appearances (tied for most on the team), 23 tackles (most on the team), and 29 interceptions (fourth most on the team).

Off the pitch, Ulloa has also been an exemplary member of the Club, regularly participating in numerous community initiatives in South Florida – earning him the Club’s nomination for the 2021 MLS Humanitarian of the Year award. In Sept. 2021, the Mexican American helped surprise Baptist Health South Florida workers to show appreciation for their efforts throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and conducted a virtual jersey swap with a doctor to show gratitude for taking care of many people in difficult times; in April 2021, he was one the faces of the vaccination campaign that the Club conducted in collaboration with Baptist Health South Florida; and on Dec. 2020, Ulloa distributed toys to kids at Baptist Health South Florida during the holidays.

Prior to joining the Club through a trade with FC Cincinnati in Nov. 11, 2019, Ulloa featured for FC Cincinnati in its 2018 inaugural MLS campaign, and for FC Dallas for eight years (2010-2017). In his lone season with Cincinnati, he made 26 appearances and registered one goal and two assists. The Ciudad Juárez, Mexico native is a product of FC Dallas’ Academy, where he became the first Homegrown player in franchise history and the eighth in MLS to reach 100 appearances on June 3, 2017. Ulloa also became the seventh Homegrown player in MLS history to play 10,000 minutes in 2018. He signed his first professional contract in 2010 and made his First Team debut for FC Dallas in October 2011. Ulloa made 173 appearances in all competitions, tallying six goals and seven assists from his midfield position. He helped guide the club to the 2016 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup title and the 2016 Supporters’ Shield.  

TRANSACTION: Inter Miami CF Re-Signs Victor Ulloa to a new two-year deal starting in 2022. 


Brazilian joins Club ahead of 2022 season following 10-year-stint in the Brazilian top flight
MIAMI (December 12, 2021) – Inter Miami CF announced today it has signed midfielder Jean Mota from Brazilian top-flight club Santos FC with a contract running through the 2024 Major League Soccer (MLS) season, with a Club option for the 2025 season. The 28-year-old Brazilian central midfielder bolsters Inter Miami’s roster following a nearly 10-year-long career in the Brazilian top flight and brings valuable experience having competed in prestigious South American club competitions the CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores and the CONMEBOL Copa Sudamericana.

Mota joins the Club pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) and P-1 Visa.

“We’re thrilled to add a player of Jean’s experience and ambition to our team. We’ve followed him for some time, as he’s a well-rounded, versatile and very smart player on the pitch. He checked every box through our diligent recruitment process and we are excited to see him represent the Inter Miami badge,” said Inter Miami CF Chief Soccer Officer and Sporting Director Chris Henderson.

“It’s a pleasure to be a part of Inter Miami, a great Club with a fantastic fan base and great facilities. I’m excited to give my best on the pitch and create great memories together with the Club. I’m proud to wear this jersey and look forward to leaving everything on the field to defend it. Lastly, I want to thank the fans for their reception and I’m thrilled to be here as we aim to accomplish our objectives together,” said Mota.

The São Paulo, Brazil native has spent the entirety of his career in Brazil to date, where he amassed a total 257 appearances across all competitions, including 164 matches in the Brazilian Série A, featuring for Associação Portuguesa de Desportos (2012-2015), Fortaleza Esporte Clube (2015-2016) and Santos FC (2016-2021). Additionally, he registered 27 appearances in the CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores, netting once and handing out four assists, and eight appearances in the CONMEBOL Copa Sudamericana, recording one assist.

Mota most recently spent over five years with historic Brazilian powerhouse Santos FC, making his move to the side in June 2016. The central midfielder had a successful stint in the Vila Belmiro-based team, registering 10 goals and 20 assists in 207 appearances across all competitions for the Peixe, including all of his 27 appearances in the CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores, scoring once and recording four assists, and six CONMEBOL Copa Sudamericana appearances, registering one assist. He also collected several individual accolades during his time at the club, including a strong 2019 Campeonato Paulista campaign that saw him named the competition’s Best Player, Top Scorer and named to the Team of the Year. Additionally, he was teammates with Inter Miami CF captain Gregore in several matches playing for the club’s U-23 side during his spell at Santos.

Before joining Santos, Mota signed with Fortaleza in Sept. 2015. He went on to become a mainstay on the club’s team sheet in 2016, playing a key role in the team’s 2016 Campeonato Cearense winning campaign and being named the Best Player of the tournament as well. In all, Mota registered 17 appearances for the team and scored four goals.

Mota began his career at Portuguesa, where he came through the team’s youth ranks and made his professional debut in March 2012 in a Copa do Brasil match. The midfielder went on to make 33 appearances for the team across all competitions, including two in the CONMEBOL Copa Sudamericana, registering one goal and three assists, and was also part of the team’s 2013 Campeonato Paulista Série A2 title-winning side. He was also deployed as a left back during his spell with Portuguesa. 

Inter Miami fans can Join The Heartbeat of the Club and secure their spot for the 2022 season opener by becoming Season Ticket Members. For information on season tickets, group tickets, and more, please visit www.intermiamicf.com/tickets . 

Transaction: Inter Miami CF signs Brazilian midfielder Jean Mota from Santos FC with a contract running through the 2024 MLS season, with a Club option for the 2025 season.
Name: Jean Mota
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5’ 9”
Weight: 165 lbs
Born: 10/15/1993
Age: 28
Birthplace: São Paulo, Brazil
Nationality: Brazil